Hydrangea plant named ‘SMNHMP’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘SMNHMP’ is disclosed, characterized by floriferous plants with strong stems producing extra-large inflorescences. Plants rebloom and are hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9. Plants respond to commercial bluing treatment, inflorescences can be bright pink or purple-violet, depending upon culture. The new variety is a Hydrangea, normally produced as an ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Hydrangea macrophylla.

Variety denomination: ‘SMNHMP’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Hydrangea cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, at a commercial nursery in Grand Haven, Mich.The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Hydrangeavarieties that are more floriferous, with new colors, and strongerstems. The cross resulting in this new variety was made during 2011.

The seed parent is the unpatented variety Hydrangea macrophylla‘Cityline Lisbon’. The pollen parent is the unpatented variety Hydrangeamacrophylla ‘Wyatt LeFever’. The new variety was identified as apotentially interesting selection in 2014, at a commercial greenhouse inGrand Haven, Mich. Date of first sale was Jun. 25, 2019, occurring inthe United States. This sale was made directly by the inventor or onewho obtained the claimed invention directly or indirectly from theinventor. This sale and all public disclosures made between Jun. 25,2019 and the filing of this application fall within the exceptionallowed under 102(b)(1).

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SMNHMP’ by vegetative softwoodcuttings was first performed during 2014, at a commercial greenhouse inGrand Haven, Mich. Subsequent asexual propagation has shown that theunique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to typein 5 successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SMNHMP’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘SMNHMP’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘SMNHMP’ as a new and distinct Hydrangeacultivar:

-   -   1. Very floriferous.    -   2. Strong stems.    -   3. Extra-large inflorescences, which can be bright pink or        purple-violet.    -   4. Reblooming.    -   5. Hardy in USDA Zones 5-9.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SMNHMP’ are similar to plants of the seedparent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the newcultivar ‘SMNHMP’ differ in the following;

-   -   1. The new variety has a darker, more intense flower color than        the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SMNHMP’ are similar to plants of the pollenparent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the newcultivar ‘SMNHMP’ differ in the following;

-   -   1. The new variety has a darker, more intense flower color than        the pollen parent.    -   2. The new variety has larger leaves than the pollen parent.    -   3. The new variety has darker green foliage than the pollen        parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SMNHMP’ can be compared to the varietyHydrangea macrophylla ‘SMNHMSIGMA’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,929. Thesevarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however‘SMNHMP’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has a tighter flower head than this        comparator.    -   2. Acidic flowers of the new variety are more purple; acidic        flowers of this comparator are more blue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

‘SMNHMP’ is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show theplant's form, foliage, and inflorescences. The colors shown are as trueas can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describethe colors of the new hybrid Hydrangea. Age of the plants photographedis between 2 to 3 years.

FIG. 1 shows plants of ‘SMNHMP’ grown in a greenhouse in Grand Haven,Mich. in 2019. The plant on the left of the photo has been treated witha typical acidic “bluing” (aluminum sulfate) treatment. The plant to theright has not been given the bluing treatment. Plant form is illustratedas well.

FIG. 2 shows the mature flower color of a container-grown plant, treatedwith “bluing” treatment, grown in a greenhouse in Grand Haven, Mich. in2019.

FIG. 3 shows the mature flower color of a container-grown plant, treatedwithout “bluing” treatment, grown in a greenhouse in Grand Haven, Mich.in 2019.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Color Chart 2015 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘SMNHMP’ plants grown in a commercial polygreenhouse in Grand Haven, Mich. under natural lighting. Measurementswere taken during Summer of 2019. The plants were about 4 years oldplanted in the ground. The growing temperature ranged from 5° C. to 27°C. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical planttypes.

-   Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘SMNHMP’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 18 days.-   Time to produce a rooted young plants: Approximately 60 days.-   Propagation method: Softwood cuttings.

PLANT

-   Plant type: Flowering deciduous perennial shrub.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 2 to 3 years old.-   Growth habit: Upward and a little outward.-   Overall plant shape: Rounded.-   Height: 41 cm.-   Plant spread: 66 cm.-   Growth rate: Good.-   Plant vigor: Good.-   Branching habit: Basal, some pinching required.-   Length of primary lateral branches: 38 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: 6 mm.-   Quantity of lateral branches: 15 to 20.-   Stem:    -   -   Stem shape.—Round.        -   Stem strength.—Strong.        -   Color.—Immature: RHS Green 143B. Mature: RHS Green 143B.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Aspect.—15 to 45°.-   Internode length: 5 cm.-   Lenticels:    -   -   Color.—RHS Greyed-Orange 165A.-   Root description: Moderately dense, thick main roots with fine,    fibrous secondary roots. Main roots colored near Brown 200D,    secondary roots near Yellow-White 158D.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Leaf shape.—Ovate.        -   Average length.—9.5 cm.        -   Average width.—6.5 cm.        -   Apex.—Cuspidate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Serrate.        -   Texture of top surface.—Leathery.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Leathery, ribbed.        -   Leaf pubescence.—None.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Young            foliage under side: RHS Green 138B. Mature foliage upper            side: RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage under side: RHS Green            139C.        -   Venation.—Pattern: Pinnate. Color upper side: RHS Green            139C. Color under side: RHS Yellow-Green 143D.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: 1.2 cm. Diameter: 5 mm. Petiole            color upper side: RHS Green 139C. Petiole color lower side:            RHS Green 143D. Petiole Texture upper side: Smooth, slightly            pubescent. Petiole Texture lower side: Slightly pubescent.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Summer.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Type.—Mophead.        -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—Fertile flowers:            About 25. Sterile flowers: 50 to 150.        -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-cleaning, after several            weeks.        -   Longevity.—Individual flowers stay fresh on the plant for            about 2 weeks. Inflorescences are ornamental for several            weeks.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.-   Panicle:    -   -   Shape.—Dome.        -   Height.—8 cm.        -   Diameter.—17 cm.-   Sterile flower:    -   -   Bud shape.—Obovate.        -   Bud length.—3 mm.        -   Bud diameter.—3 mm.        -   Bud color.—RHS Yellow-Green 145D.        -   Flower aspect.—Upright and outward.        -   Flower shape.—Round.        -   Flower length.—3.5 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—3.5 cm.        -   Persistence.—Self-cleaning.-   Sterile flower petals:    -   -   Petal arrangement.—Whorl.        -   Quantity.—4.        -   Length of petal.—4 mm.        -   Width of petal.—3 mm.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Shape of petal.—Ovate.        -   Petal margin.—Entire.        -   Petal base.—Truncate.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth, upper and under side.        -   Color.—Upper surface at first opening: Acidic: RHS Blue            106B. Basic: RHS Purple 75C. Under surface at first opening:            Acidic: RHS Blue 106B. Basic: RHS Purple 75C. Upper surface            at maturity: Acidic: RHS Blue 106B. Basic: RHS Purple 75C.            Under surface at maturity: Acidic: RHS Blue 106B. Basic: RHS            Purple 75C.-   Sterile flower sepal:    -   -   Arrangement.—Whorl.        -   Number.—4.        -   Shape.—Obovate.        -   Tip.—Obtuse.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Length.—2 cm.        -   Width.—2 cm.        -   Texture, upper.—Smooth.        -   Texture, lower.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Upper surface at first opening: RHS Yellow-Green            149C. Under surface at first opening: RHS Yellow-Green 149C.            Upper surface at maturity: Acidic: RHS Purple-Violet N80B.            Basic: RHS Red-Purple 67B. Under surface at maturity:            Acidic: RHS Purple-Violet N80C. Basic: RHS Red-Purple 67B,            lightly streaked 67D.-   Sterile flower pedicel:    -   -   Length.—1.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—2 mm.        -   Angle.—45°.        -   Strength.—Good.        -   Texture.—Smooth, pubescent.        -   Color.—Acidic: RHS Violet-Blue 96C. Basic: RHS Red-Purple            73A.-   Fertile flower:    -   -   Bud shape.—Obovate.        -   Bud length.—4 mm.        -   Bud diameter.—34 mm.        -   Bud color.—Acid treatment: Near RHS Violet-Blue 98C. Basic            treatment: near RHS Red-Purple 73C.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.-   Flower:    -   -   Shape.—Star-shaped.        -   Length.—1.3 cm.        -   Depth.—4 mm.        -   Diameter.—1.3 cm.        -   Flower aspect.—Upright, outward.        -   Persistence.—Self-cleaning.        -   Longevity.—1 to 2 weeks.-   Fertile flower petals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Whorl.        -   Quantity.—5.        -   Length of petal.—5 mm.        -   Width of petal.—2 mm.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Shape of petal.—Ovate.        -   Petal margin.—Entire.        -   Petal base.—Cuneate.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth, upper and under side.        -   Color.—Upper surface at first opening: RHS Yellow-Green            145B. Under surface at first opening: RHS Yellow-Green 145B.            Upper surface at maturity: Acidic: RHS Violet-Blue 91B.            Basic: RHS Red-Purple 63C. Under surface at maturity:            Acidic: RHS Violet-Blue 91B. Basic: RHS Red-Purple 63C.-   Fertile flower sepal: None.-   Fertile flower pedicel:    -   -   Angle.—45°.        -   Strength.—Good.        -   Length.—5 mm.        -   Width.—1 mm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Acidic: RHS Violet-Blue 96C. Basic: RHS Red-Purple            73A.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Sterile flowers:-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—7.        -   Filament length.—1 mm.        -   Filament color.—RHS Red-Purple 73D.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Round.        -   Length.—5 mm.        -   Color.—RHS White 155B.        -   Pollen.—Amount: Scant to moderate. Color: RHS White 155B.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—2.        -   Length.—0.5 mm.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Lobed. Color: RHS Red-Purple 73D.        -   Style.—Length: 0.5 mm. Color: RHS Red-Purple 73D.-   Fertile flowers:-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—10.        -   Filament length.—2 mm.        -   Filament color.—RHS White 155B.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Round.        -   Length.—1 mm.        -   Color.—RHS White 155B.        -   Pollen color.—RHS White 155B.        -   Pollen amount.—Scant to moderate.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—3.        -   Length.—1 mm.        -   Style.—Length: 0.5 mm. Color: RHS White NN155B. Ovary color:            RHS White NN155B.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Lobed. Color: RHS White NN155B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: None observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    normal diseases and pests of Hydrangea have been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: USDA Zones 4 to 9.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plantnamed ‘SMNHMP’ as herein illustrated and described.